From left, Ken Wade, NeighborWorks America CEO; Deborah Boatright, NeighborWorks Northeast district director speaking at podium; Betsy Gotbaum, public advocate of New York; and Christine Cumming, first vice president, Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

October 2, 2007 — More than 200 bankers, politicians, nonprofits, government and foundation representatives, and community leaders attended the second annual NeighborWorks America Northeast District reception, September 19, at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York office in New York City.

The purpose of the event, "A Community United," was to recognize partnerships throughout the region to help stem the tide of foreclosures. This topic has brought an unprecedented level of collaboration among all different segments of the community — many of whom were in attendance. There were representatives of state and local government from both New York and New Jersey; banking and finance industry; non-profits, foundations and community leaders. In fact, that was the "buzz" in the room — the diversity of the crowd; and the chance for people from different sectors of the community being able to gather and talk informally.

NeighborWorks America CEO Ken Wade presented information regarding the national foreclosure prevention campaign launched this past June and acknowledged the important contribution of NeighborWorks private- and public-sector partners in the campaign.

Deborah Boatright, director of NeighborWorks America’s northeast district office, talked about the role of NeighborWorks organizations in preventing and helping people through foreclosures. “Many of our organizations provide foreclosure counseling — all are deeply involved in helping existing and potential homeowners to achieve long-term, affordable homeownership,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, First Vice President Christine Cumming said, "We at the Federal Reserve are tremendously thrilled to be partnered with NeighborWorks America on a local and national level, and with the work that you do in trying to ensure that people gain access to sustainable homeownership."

Cumming also acknowledged the late Ed Gramlich, former member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and former chairman of the board for NeighborWorks America, for his extensive consumer education and foreclosure prevention efforts.

Other speakers included State Senator Martin Connor; Public Advocate Betsey Gotbaum; Richard Neiman, New York State Banking Department; Priscilla Almodavar, SONYMA; Bret Garwood, City of Rochester Bureau of Housing and Project Development; Sarah Ludwig, Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project (NEDAP); Sean Moss, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Deborah VanAmerongen, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR); and Diane Johnson, HUD New Jersey.